Cebu landfill tragedy buries victim’s dreams of going abroad

Four days after a mountain of garbage buried a waste segregation facility in the village of Binaliw in Cebu City, eight fatalities have been reported, while 28 people remain missing.

According to Alan Domingo’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” among the casualties is a 25-year-old employee who had dreamed of working abroad and was processing his documents.

James Carl Andrino was the supervisor of the private landfill facility.

He was able to talk to his father a few hours after the landslide, while he was pinned down by the fallen beam.

Andrino’s father said his son told him to tell his mother that he was okay.

Andrino dreamed of working in the United Kingdom, something he was arranging while working in the landfill.

“Masakit, dahil nawala siya sa amin, parang matagal pa bago matanggap ang nangyari,” Andrino’s mother said.

(His passing hurts us. It may take a while before we can accept what happened.)

Another casualty is Rowena Ranido, who worked as a human resources personnel in the landfill facility.

She was alive when rescuers found her and put her on oxygen, but they were unable to get her out immediately.

Ranido’s husband said he tried to rescue his wife, but the police stopped him.

Rescuers continue to look for Ranido’s brother, Lloyd Ople, who also worked in the landfill facility.

According to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, rescuers are cautious with their search and rescue operations to avoid the facility from further collapsing.

He added that even though the 72-hour already lapsed, rescuers continue with their operation since there are still signs of life.

“We are hoping that there are still people who are alive, that’s why we still continue our rescue operation,” Archival said.

“We continue to be hopeful. We are praying and hoping na that they are still alive,” said Senior Fire Officer III Wendel Villanueva, Bureau of Fire Protection Cebu City spokesperson.

The landslide occurred only 200 meters away from where the workers were located.

According to the Cebu City government, the pile reached a height equivalent to a 15- to 20-storey building, as tall as the tower of the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Quezon City or five stacked Rizal Monuments at Luneta.

The Cebu City government also said they have yet to discuss who will be held accountable since it is prioritizing the welfare of the victims.

In a statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Visayas expressed its condolences to the victims’ families.

The agency is also investigating the incident.

Following a site inspection by DENR?EMB Region VII technical personnel on Friday, a cease-and-desist order was issued against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., while compliance with environmental laws at the facility is being reviewed.— Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News